Report: Apple to offer in-store pickup for the iPad Air starting November 1

The iPad Air goes on sale starting Friday, November 1. The tablet will be available in stores and online, and it looks like Apple will offer buyers the option to order the tablet online for in-store pickup as well, reports both MacRumors and 9to5Mac.

Historically, Apple hasn’t launched many of its iOS devices with its Personal Pickup option available from the start. The iPad 2 was Apple’s last tablet offered without a pre-order period, and in-store pickup was not one of the initial buying options. The same goes for the more recent iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c.

So if you want to be among the first to get a new iPad Air when it comes out on Friday, you might not have to wait in line at the Apple store. Just be sure to check the Apple Store online when the tablet goes on sale at midnight Pacific Time.

There’s still no word on an exact release date for the iPad mini with retina display, other than some point in November. In-store pickup seems unlikely, though, as the tablet is rumored to launch in short supply.